Wintertime fun part 1

Well, hello everyone, sorry it has been such a long time for this update. Just seems like there's never enough hours in the day. We've got so much, that this will be a two part update. Just seemed like too much to throw into one post.

This goes all the way back to about a week before Christmas. We managed to get home the week before Christmas this year and got to see some extended family, some of whom we haven't seen in many years, and got to meet new cousins and they got to meet Carly and Molly for the first time. So let's just jump into the pictures...

Christmas party in Pekin. Grandpa was caught several times getting a Molly fix.

One of the toys at this party was a this awesome little motorcycle. Carly really enjoyed it.

She had a good time playing with the newly met cousins.

Molly has really started to take a liking to Columbo. She smiles when she sees him, and likes to play with his ears (and try to poke his eyes) Fortunately he's just so desperate for attention that he tolerates pretty much anything.

Moly and Bakka chilling after a rough afternoon.

Look at me Bakka, I can sit so nicely!!

Carly helped finish off the bottom of Gram's Christmas tree.

We made a run over to visit Aunt Megan and Cassidy. They were waiting for us with extra santa hats for everyone.

Group picture. Note to self... work on lady-like poses.

The cousins got together to continue a tradition of making Christmas cookies. Carly enjoyed it even more than last year.

She was quite the excellent cookie cutter outer.

Houston...... we have a problem. Hrmm... big difference in the way a recipe turns out when one uses two teaspoons of sugar instead of two cups.

Not to worry, it all worked out in the end. The cookies were saved, and all got cut out. Then it was lunchtime, while the adults baked the cookies and got ready for decorating.

In case you can't tell or didn't know, Blue is one of Carly's favorite colors. Currently anyway.

Molly didn't care what the color was, she just wanted to get her hands on some of that frosting!!

Gram's new Christmas tradition for the grandkids... Christmas jammies for opening presents.

Carly and Kim Christmas Eve morning

Molly really likes her new cell... get's great coverage.

Then down to celebrate with the family in Lincoln. It was super snowy... took us over four hours to get from Dixon to Lincoln!!

Carly was quite happy when we got there and got out of the car. It was a bonus that there were presents waiting!!

Then in a special twist, Santa managed to find us at the hotel Christmas morning!!

Carly has loved her "blanket cow" (that's really a giraffe, but oh well) so much, that Santa made sure to get Molly her own "blanket frog"... no mistaking the frog... definitely a frog.

Both girls were up for a little swimming before heading out to Grandpa and Grammy J's place.

Then cleaned up and ready to go.


You may notice in all of the next few pictures, Carly was happy to assist anyone in opening gifts.




Aunt Laura was very happy to get to spend some time with Molly.

We got back home to Minnesota and found that Santa had stopped there too! Molly was kind of tired, so I guess we only got pictures of Carly.

She was super pumped about her new tent. I'm not sure how Santa got that whole big thing in that skinny little box...

After all the excitement, Carly was ready to sit down and read a story before bed.

That's all for now. Hope to catch part two in the next few days. Hope everyone is well. It was so nice to be able to see so many of you over the holidays. Looking forward to warmer weather and meeting up again!!